Day 1 will focus on the background requirements and the fundamental needs for good dedicated synchronisation platforms in telecom networks. It will examine the methods available to prove that synchronisation quality is being met. The afternoon session will examine the challenges met and the solutions deployed by four very different types of licensed carrier.

Day 1 - AM

 8.30
   to      Registration & Coffee
 9.30        
             SESSION 1 - Welcome, Industry Keynote,
             Background & Business Case for Sync
             Chairman - Charles Curry, Chronos Technology Ltd.
             The opening session will set the scene for the main two
             days of the conference,starting with a Keynote reflecting
             on the importance and significance of telecommunications
             in strategic Government thinking.
             Significant historical background information and
             reasons behind the need for synchronisation will be
             covered as well as the fundamental business cases for
             the provision of synchronisation within telecom networks.
 9.30    Welcome & Introduction
             Charles Curry - Chronos Technology Ltd.
             A brief introduction to the ITSF its aims and objectives as a
             voluntary industry body working for the benefit of the industry.
 9.35    Telecom Industry Keynote
             Richard Barrington - Director Industry - e-Envoy
             This short keynote will set the scene for the two days by
             emphasising the importance of the telecommunications
             industry within the economy in general.It will review the
             increase in services that require efficient telecom networks
             such as the Internet and e-commerce and the changes
             happening in the regulatory structure such as unbundling of
             the local loop.It will reflect on the massive expenditure by
             carriers rolling out new technology in order to cope with the
             wave of new services and the significant prices paid for the
             3G licences.These expansion plans will need to demonstrate
             significant returns for investors, so there is a huge push to
             make the new services work. The UK was the first to
             deregulate, but the pattern will spread throughout Europe.
             It is recognised that network synchronisation is a vital enabler
             for all these technologies to work effectively together.
 9.50    From Neanderthal to Optical
             Andy Reid - BT
             This paper will trace the evolution of the telecommunications
             industry from analogue through to digital services and the
             relevance of synchronisation and time within 
             telecommunications networks. It will focus on how the
             technology revolution which is currently taking place affects
             the sync transport layer. The importance of sync will be
             assessed for the delivery of premium services over a
             Telecom Network.

             .Introduction: Relationship between telecom services & time
             .History & Progress: FDM, TDM, PCM, SDH, ATM & IP
             .Transmission media evolution:Coax & Fibre,
             .Sync in core technologies:Optical switching &
              transmission, DWDM
             .Sync in access technologies: DSL, Broadband Wireless,
              ATM, Mobile
             .Sync transport layer reaction to transport technology
              evolution
             .Technology changes from PDH to SDH to IP & it's effect on
              sync strategy
             .Accommodating & meeting the needs of new & future
              network technologies
             .Customer expectancy, QoS issues & sync as a premium
              service component

10.30   Coffee Break

10.45   The Business Case for Investing in a
             Synchronisation Platform
             Phil Mann -Symmetricom Inc.
             Although small by switching and transport technology
             standards, the investment necessary for a sync platform is not
             insignificant. How can this investment be justified? This paper
             will answer some of these questions and explore the issues
             and problems associated with not having a guaranteed sync
             platform.

             .Comparison of economic solutions & fully managed
               resilient solutions
             .Bare minimum acceptable in terms of sync hardware
              deployment
             .Minimum necessary for full QoS guarantees
             .Minimum downtime requirements of a network
             .Reliance on other carrier's sync, "borrowing" or
              "stealing" sync
             .Horror stories
             .Inheriting legacy platforms
             .Risks of not having control of your own sync

             SESSION 2 - Synchronisation Standards & Measurement
             Technology
             Chairman - Mike Gilson, BTexaCT
             This session will focus on the relevant international standards
             and test processes necessary to ensure that synchronisation
             elements and networks work correctly.Practical case studies
             and demonstrations will help to illustrate key concepts and
             provide a more interactive approach to what is an important,
             essential but complex and often ignored topic.
11.15   Telecom Synchronisation Standards
             -The Latest Perspective
             Ghani Abbas - Marconi Communications Ltd.
             This paper will provide essential background information on
             the relevant Standards bodies,their associated working
             groups and the Standards themselves.It will also look forward
             at the future activities of the study groups and how they go
             about addressing the changes in technology and their effect
             on and need for synchronisation.

             .Relationship between ETSI & ITU
             .ITU recommendations & ETSI requirements via DTI or
              local license authority
             .Study group members
             .ITU standards evolution from Blue Book through to G.811
              G.812 G.813 etc
             .ETSI standards the ETSI 300 462 series
             .Other relevant standards from ETSI & ITU
             . Sync standards direction &future study group programmes
             .Emerging optical standards, G.OTN.JIT.